The Folk Arts Institute has been established with funds from the United States Agency for International Development and the United Nations Development Programme provided through the United Nations Office for Project Services. The institute, which is a non-profit organization under the umbrella of the Folk Arts Foundation, aims to produce, display and sell handicrafts with colours, patterns and motifs authentic to Cyprus, as well as to offer courses in this area to promote this cultural tradition. Wood-carved furniture, carved walnut chests, wicker baskets, knitted and embroidered products, hand woven and silk fabrics and traditional costumes are all produced within the ateliers of the institute using traditional techniques characteristic of Cyprus. The institute is located in the Walled City of Nicosia, next to the historical Selimiye (Agia Sophia) Mosque, a well-known tourist attraction and it carries out its activities in a restored building with a typical British architecture. The Institute is comprised of ateliers where unique handicraft souvenirs are produced and a showroom where these products are displayed and sold. The director of the institute, Hasan Çağlıoğlu, opened its doors to North Cyprus UK and gave us information about the organization.

Our Primary Aim is to Revive Traditional Handicrafts of Cyprus and Prevent Them from Fading into Oblivion

The Folk Arts Institute Director Hasan Çağlıoğlu stated that the institute stands out as a non-profit civil society organization which has succeeded to be economically self-sufficient since 2000. He also pointed out that the institute is known as an organization that has reintroduced traditional handcrafting both to the economy and the society; a craft that is in high demand on the island. Currently, the institute has 8 employees and 17 contractors – all housewives from rural areas – and a steering committee made up of volunteers. “Everyone here is working hard to keep the handicraft tradition alive so as to be able to pass it on to the next generation” said Çağlıoğlu. He also stated that to this end, they have provided vocational training courses for wood carving, wood weathering and painting, traditional hand weaving, wicker basket weaving, silkworm cocoon decorative panel making and lace-embroidery techniques to approximately 500 people in the last three years. Çağlıoğlu added that HASDER will continue to work relentlessly to preserve and revive traditional handicrafts of Cyprus and that their doors are wide open for everyone who wants to join them in this endeavour.